Weather strip and sash balance



May 26, 1942.

.1. Rlcq WEATHER STRIP AND SASH BALANCE Filed July 23, 1941 INVENTOR BY ,v/

ATTORINEYJ Patented May 26, 1942 erg-S This invention relates to a combined weatherstrip and balance for Window sash, and it has for its primary object the provision of a simple, inexpensive and-effective device of this character, which, in addition, simplifies and renders less expensive, the frame for the windows. I

How the foregoing, together with such other objects and advantages as may be incident to the invention are realized, is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein- Figure 1' is a fragmentary section through window framing and window sashes, taken on the line II of Figure 2, and

Figur 2 is a similar section taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

In the drawing the parts are shown in full size. The reference numeral 7 indicates one of the jarnbs of the window frame, the reference numeral 8 the lower sash, and the reference numeral 9 the upper sash.

The upright or side members 8a and 9a of each sash are provided with grooves I0, flatted at I I at the sides, and rounded at I2 at the base. It will be understood that each sash is provided with such a groove at each of its two upright side portions.

The combined weather strip and sash balance is indicated as a whole by the reference character A. This device is preferably made from a single strip of sheet metal, bent into the shape shown in the drawing. It will be seen that portions of the blank strip are rebent inwardly on them selves, providing wing portions indicated at I3, and then into semi-cylindrical portions I4, the free edges of which overlap as shown at I5. The semi-cylindrical portions I 4 thus, in effect, constitute a cylindrical tube which fits within the groove ID. The diameter of this tubular portion is normally greater than the distance between the two fiatted surfaces of the groove. The combined weather strip and balance is made of a metal such as bronze, which has sufficient springiness to allow the tubular portion to collapse somewhat on insertion into the groove. This collapse occurs because the overlapping edge portions of the semi-cylindrical parts I4 can slip on one another. Because of the springiness of this metal, the portions I4 bear against the fiatte'd surfaces of the groove with sufficient pressure to cause the device to also act as a balance holding the sash in any given position of adjustment, and at the same time affording effective weather strip action. The bronze is also resistant to weather.

It will be understood that the combined weather strip' and balance runs for substantially the full height of the'jambs. In assemblage, the combined strip and balance devices are inserted in the grooves and the sashes are then put in place in the'framing. The devices are nailed or otherwise secured to the jambs through the wing portions. This can be done in a very simple v groove.

manner. With the upper sash in position, the lower portion of the combined strip and balance is exposed and can be tacked, after which the sash is lowered, and the upper portion of the strip and balance is tacked. Similarly with the lower sash. The trim I6 is then put on.

It will be seen that the device dispenses with the sash cord and weights ordinarily employed, and likewise simplifies the frame structure.

It will be noted that the depth of the tubular portion is such as to provide a substantial clearance between the inner face of the tubular portion and the rounded base portions l2 of the Thus, swelling of the sash does not cause the sash to bind or look on the tubular portions. Swelling of the sash such as tends to cause inward pressure of the sides of the grooves on the tubular portion can cause no difficulty because of the overlapping of the free edge portions of the parts I4. The weather-snow, rain, ice-is substantially excluded from the interior of the tubular portion.

I It will be observed that the tubular portion afiords a limited area of contact on the flatted sides of the grooves. By virtue of this the frictional resistance ofiered to movement of the sash is not so great as to make the opening or closing of the windows or their adjustment to any given position, too difiicult. At the same time there are no sharp edges or corners contacting with the sides of the groove, 50 that wear is not objectionable. It will further be noted that the points of juncture of the portions I4 with the bent-over portions of the wings are located well within the planes of the flatted sides of the grooves, so that the thrusts on the portions I4 extend in an inward angular direction with respect to the fiatted sides of the grooves. Thus the springiness of the metal is more effectively exerted.

It is to be understood that the particular crosssectional shape of the tubular portion may vary, the important features being the overlapping of the free edges with freedom for movement relative to one another, the limited rubbing contact of non-sharp, smooth surfaces with the sides of the grooves, .and the location of the juncture of the portions I4 with the bent-over portions frame jambs, of a sliding sash having a groove,

in each side member which opens toward the adjacent jamb, and a combined sash balance, guide member and weatherv strip at each side of the window, which strips are substantially coextensive with the height of the jambs, said strips being composed of springy material having a flat base portion for attachment to the jarnb and a pair of semi-cylindrical-like 'portions projecting laterally therefrom to form a longitudinally extending tubular part which projects into the adjacent sash groove, said 7 semi-cylindrical-like portions slidingly .overlapping each other whereby to exclude the weather and to compensate for expansion and contraction of the sash, and the diameter of the tubular portion being normally'greater than the distance between the sides of the adjacent sash groove.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the diameter of the tubular portion is less than the depth of the sash groove.

3. For a sliding window sash having a guide groove in the edge face of each side member, a combined sash balance, guide member and weather strip composed of springy sheet material formed. with a fiat base or jamb engaging portion and a pair of semi-cylindrical-like sash groove engaging portions projecting laterally therefrom, said semi-cylindrical-like portions being arranged to slidingly overlap each other to form a resilient, closed, tube-like sash guide.

- 4. A combined sash balance, guide member and weather strip made from an elongated piece of springy sheet material, the side portions of said piece being bent back along a central area to provide a longitudinally extending base portion and being reversely bent and also curved to form a pair of cooperating semi-cylindrical-like portions projecting laterally from the base portion, said semi-cylindrical-like portions being slidingly overlapped to form a resilient, closed tube-like guide portion.

ANTHONY J. RICCI. 

